The interview will include questions regarding your experiences with the school’s systems and processes used in the three key areas of Charter school Evaluation; Compliance, Financial Viability, Student Progress. The interview will take about 60 minutes to complete. With your permission, we would also like to tape-record the interview.
Risks and benefits:
I do not anticipate any risks to you participating in this study other than those encountered in day-to-day life. There are no benefits to you personally. It is my desire to provide guidance to start-up and established Charter schools so that they may be successful long term.
I will use your responses for research purposes only. Your identity and information which could identify you will be kept confidential, if you so desire please indicate such on the consent form. Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to participate or withdraw at any time. You may also choose to not answer any questions you prefer not to answer.
Your answers will be confidential. The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of
report we make public we will not include any personal information that will make it possible to identify you. Research records will be kept in a locked file; only the researchers will have access to the records. Audio recordings will be destroyed at the conclusion of the research project. Interviews will be audio recorded.
Brief Background: I have spent the vast majority of my educational career in Charter schools,
much of it involved with operations. While at a Charter school in Detroit I was a Director of Operations for a number of years, and in multiple administrative roles took the lead on
developing and maintaining operational systems and structures. I fully appreciate the complexity and importance of this role in charter organizations.
If you have questions: The researcher conducting this study is Margaret Ameel. Please ask any
questions you have now. If you have questions later, you may contact Margaret Ameel at [email protected] or at 586-212-1412. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your rights as a subject in this study, you may contact the Dissertation Committee Chair, Dr. Theresa Saunders at [email protected]. You will be given a copy of this form to keep for your records.
Statement of Consent: I have read the above information, and have received answers to any
questions I asked. I consent to take part in the study. I know I may withdraw at any time during the study.
Your Name (printed) ____________________________________________________________
Your Signature ___________________________________ Date ________________________
In addition to agreeing to participate, I also consent to having the interview tape-recorded. Your Signature ___________________________________ Date _________________________
Printed name of person obtaining consent Margaret Ameel Date ________________
Signature of person obtaining consent ______________________________ Date ___________________
This consent form will be kept by the researcher for at least three years beyond the end of the study.
Appendix B.
Participant Screener
Research Study: An Analysis of Successful Charter Schools Operations Name of Organization: ________________________________
1. What is your role in this organization?
2. How long have you been in this role?
3. What is the highest level of education you have completed? Diploma/GED
Associates Major__________________ Bachelor’s Major__________________
Graduate School, Major_____________________ Masters
Specialist Doctorate
4. What is the perception of others in the school community about your job? What do they think you do all day?
5. What is the Organizational Design of your school? (please include grade levels and all models such as Montessori, age grouping, strict discipline, arts focus)
6. Does the school meet their enrollment goals each year?
7. What do you think contributes to that?
8. Has the school done any research on why students choose/leave the district? (if yes, please include source of research and key reasons for leaving)
9. What services does the school use an educational service provider for (full management, HR, Accounting, Compliance, school lunch) please list all services that may apply?
10. Please describe the organizational structure of your school, including major
responsibilities for each role (attach a District Org Chart if possible). If completely self- managed, please include.
Appendix C.
Interview Questions
Authorizer Level
1. When considering the three key elements Charter schools are evaluated on, what elements used to evaluate Charter schools do you find they struggle with the most?
2. When thinking about your successful charters, what characteristics do they have in common?
3. When considering the charter schools you’ve had to close, what characteristics could you identify they have in common?
4. What are danger signs that you see early on in charter schools that ultimately are identified as failing?
School Level
Principal/Operational Lead
1. Outline for me your operational systems for: compliance reporting, financial maintenance/reporting, and instructional achievement.
2. How and when are these systems evaluated?
3. What organizational systems are currently in place that you feel are strong and work well?
In day to day operations?
In Student academic achievement systems?
4. Where do you see gaps in the current system that either still need procedures or they need to be updated?
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Generated on IRBNet
Appendix D. IRB Approval Letter